Nollywood losing talents to favouritism — Tayo Faniran

Nollywood Actor, Tayo Faniran

Actor, Tayo Faniran, has alleged that gatekeeping, favouritism and personal sentiments are making it difficult for some talented actors and filmmakers to get the opportunities they deserve in Nollywood.

Speaking with Sunday Scoop, Faniran said his position was based on his personal experiences in the industry, adding that he wanted talents to be given a fair chance to thrive.

He said, “I just want things to be fair, because a lot of people out there can judge without understanding how much it hurts. Your film can be really solid. But one person’s opinion, bias or sentiment can influence who they decide to give awards to. And, that can rob you of your growth or where you’re supposed to get to.”

Faniran, who first came into the limelight as a Big Brother Africa winner, said he had always been intentional about his acting career and the kind of actor he wants to become.

He cited the 2023 film, Gangs of Lagos, in which he featured, saying he expected to receive an award nomination following the film’s success.

He said, “With the success of Gangs of Lagos, I was so sure that I was going to get nominated that year. I see the films that my colleagues get nominated for, and I know this job. As a consumer of movies, I know great films.”

He however noted that the controversy surrounding the film may have affected its chances at awards.

“I think because of some people suing Gangs of Lagos and the message in the film, we were not nominated for any award that year. We were completely snubbed,” he said.

Faniran also mentioned The Fire and the Moth, saying he believed the film deserved recognition in several categories.

“Let’s even say maybe they don’t want to give Tayo, what about the director? What about the photography, like the DOP? What about the sound?” he said.

Beyond awards, Faniran alleged that some individuals in the industry could influence the opportunities available to others.

He said, “I know people who are blocking my way or who are not making my journey easy or as smooth as it should have been.”

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The actor further alleged that some people at the top of the industry got there through what he described as “magomago,” nepotism, favouritism and connections.

He added, “A lot of people, whether as a filmmaker or as an actor, are at the top because of nepotism, favouritism, squads and gangs.”

Faniran compared Nollywood with the afrobeats industry, arguing that emerging artistes could gain opportunities based on their potential regardless of how long they had been in the industry.

“When an opportunity comes into the industry, they don’t look for individuals with potentials; they go to the gatekeepers,” he said.

He said the situation could prevent young talents from introducing new ideas into Nollywood.

Faniran, however, said he had decided to stop waiting for opportunities and create his own.

“I’m older now, so it’s time for me to start creating opportunities, to start building my own table, so that I can also help create new generation of stars through my platform,” he said.

He revealed that he produced his first film, Man Like Jimmy, in 2020 and later produced a four-episode series, Bodija, which he said he invested more than N100m in.

He said, “I invested over N100m to make the film. With the pains, sweat and tears of everyone that worked on the film, all that we need is just a fair hearing or a fair submission.”

Faniran stressed that his comments were not directed at any particular individual but at what he described as a wider problem within the industry.

He called for a system where films and actors would be judged on merit rather than personal relationships.